Queen Elizabeth Breaks Silence On Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Drama

By Emily LeeJan 13, 2020

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Queen Elizabeth has finally broken her silence on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's shocking decision to step back from their official royal duties. The long-reigning royal released a statement of her own on Monday (January 13) following the Sandringham Summit, which was attended by Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry.

"Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family," the Queen's statement begins. "My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family."

"Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives," Queen Elizabeth continues. "It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days."

Queen Elizabeth's statement comes shortly after Prince William and Prince Harry released a joint statement of their own. The brothers denied reports claiming Harry decided to step back from royal life because he felt bullied by William. “Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a U.K. newspaper today speculating about the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge,” the princes’ statement read. “For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful.”

The report to which William and Harry responded claims the brothers have been at odds since before Harry and Meghan's wedding. According to inside sources,William had a "bullying attitude"and Harry found his older brother wasn't "sufficiently welcoming" to Meghan. Their relationship never recovered,The Times alleges. As a result of the long-lasting family dispute, as well as Meghan's treatment at the hands of the British press, the Sussexes have decided to step back from royal life.